RN Programs in Louisiana
Louisiana RN Programs at a Glance
RN Programs Offered in Louisiana
- ADN Programs: 13
- BSN Programs: 15
ADN Program Stats
- NCLEX-RN Average: 89%
- NCLEX Rate Range: 69% to 95%
- Average Net-Price $9,278.31
- Net-Price Range: $6,846.00 to $16,515.00
- Average Student Loan: $10,084.83
BSN Program Stats
- NCLEX-RN Average: 88%
- NCLEX Rate Range: 65% to 97%
- Average Net-Price $11,827.93
- Net-Price Range: $7,162.00 to $23,419.00
- Average Student Loan: $17,132.79
Louisiana RN Program Guide
The Louisiana Center for Nursing reported that the state currently has 48,300 registered nurses. Even though most of the nurses work in hospitals, employment in hospitals is seeing a decline. Louisiana nurses can seek employment in physician’s offices as well as positions in long-term care. In Louisiana, a majority of nurses are over the age of 50 and will be retiring in the near future. Over time, there will be a strong demand for more nurses to fill the void. It is because of this that more qualified applicants are being accepted into both ADN and BSN degree programs.
In our Louisiana RN program guide, you will find both ADN and BSN Degree program rankings, tuition costs, enrollment information, NCLEX passing rates, and more. You will find key Louisiana RN Program information to help you compare programs metrics and apply to best RN program(s) for the advancement of your career.
The State of Louisiana offers 26 RN programs in 16 different cities. Public institutions offer 21 of the RN programs in the state while there are 0 private, for-profit and 5 private, not-for-profit schools that make up the rest.
In the State of Louisiana, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate’s degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.
Nurses who graduate from an RN program are able to then obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties.
What is the best RN program for you to attend? Your sweet spot might be the least expensive school with the highest NCLEX-RN passing rate. Or, it might the school that offers the best NCLEX-RN passing rate no matter the total cost of attendance. You may also want to consider schools with the highest enrollment rate so that you can collaborate with fellow students and have a large alumni to connect with after graduation.
Find your ideal program from information and data in our guide to Louisiana RN Programs.
ADN Programs in Louisiana
Nursing schools in Louisiana are flexible to meet the need of busy, working nurses. Programs can be completed online, in a traditional campus setting, and a combination of the two. Some classes a nurse can expect to take in a bachelor’s program may include:
- Administrative and management issues
- Ethical matters as related to legal and medical topics
- Statistical data as related to health problems
- Psychology
- Sociology
There are many nursing school options available and nurses are encouraged to research every option to find the best school possible.
NCLEX Passing Rates for Louisiana ADN Programs
Louisiana Delta Community College has the highest NCLEX-RN rate in Louisiana of 95.17%. Attending this stellar school will cost you about $16,515.00 a year.
- ADN Programs Offered in Louisiana: 13
- Average NCLEX-RN Passing Rate: 89.08%
- NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 68.96% to 95.17%
How Much Do ADN Programs Cost in Louisiana?
We compiled the net-price costs for RN Programs in Louisiana so that you can find RN programs to meet your budget expectations.
When comparing ADN vs BSN programs, the average net-price per year for an Associate Degree in Nursing program is considerably less than for a Bachelor Degree in Nursing.
The lowest cost ADN program in Louisiana is offered by Delgado Community College at about $6,846.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 88.94%. The highest cost ADN program is offered by Louisiana Delta Community College and it will cost about $16,515.00.
- Average Net-Price for ADN Programs inLouisiana: $9,278.31
- Net-Price Range for Louisiana ADN Programs: $6,846.00 to $16,515.00
Median Student Borrowing for ADN Programs
- Average Student Borrowing for Louisiana Schools: $10,084.83
- Student borrowing range for ADN programs in Louisiana: $1,750.00 to $18,500.00
ADN Programs at Public or Private Institutions
- Public Institutions: 12
- Private For-Profit Institutions: 0
- Private Not-for-Profit Institutions: 1
BSN Programs in Louisiana
Louisiana has 25 accredited nursing schools that offer RN to BSN on campus and online, as well as 3 to 4 year on campus BSN degrees. The programs are highly competitive and admissions can be dependent on completing 28-34 hours of prerequisite courses with a “B” or better. An 80% cumulative score on the HESI Admission Assessment Exam A2. A proctored essay or personal essay may be required. An applicant will have an interview prior to admission for many programs. A Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen will be required. Application to the program will require a $62.50 fee to the Board of Nursing. Upon graduation the student will be required to apply for state licensure. There is a $100.00 fee and the NCLEXRN exam fee of $200.00. Elective courses can include: Fine Arts/Dance, Drama/Theatre, and Music.
NCLEX Passing Rates for Louisiana BSN Programs
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans wins the highest NCLEX-RN passing rate for BSN programs offered in Louisiana with a score of 96.84%.
- BSN Programs Offered in Louisiana: 15
- Average NCLEX-RN Passing Rate: 87.74%
- NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 65.21% to 96.84%
How Much Do BSN Degree Programs Cost in Louisiana?
We compiled the net-price costs for BSN Programs in Louisiana to give you an idea of how much nursing school will cost.
The lowest cost BSN degree program in Louisiana is offered by University of Louisiana-Monroe and will cost you about $7,162.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 94.92%. The highest cost BSN degree program is offered by Loyola University New Orleans and will cost you about $23,419.00.
- Average Net-Price for BSN Programs in Louisiana: $11,827.93
- Net-Price Range for Louisiana BSN Programs: $7,162.00 to $23,419.00
Median Student Borrowing for BSN Programs
- Average Student Borrowing for Louisiana Schools: $17,132.79
- Student borrowing range for BSN programs in Louisiana: $11,260.00 to $27,956.00
BSN Programs at Public or Private Institutions
- Public Institutions: 10
- Private For-Profit Institutions: 0
- Private Not-for-Profit Institutions: 5
MSN Programs in Louisiana
RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.
Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Louisiana offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.
Louisiana RN Licensing Requirements
Louisiana State Board of Nursing
17373 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Phone: (225) 755-7500
Website: http://www.lsbn.state.la.us/
Fees:
Initial licensing fee, RN: $142.50
License renewal, RN: $80-$105 depending on date or renewal
Continuing Education Requirements:
RNs: Five, 10, or 15 contact hours every year, based on employment
RN Licensure by Exam
Prior to graduation, nurses should begin the steps towards licensure. The candidate will apply to the board and register to Pearson VUE, which is the company that administers the NCLEX exam. The exam can be scheduled after the candidate receives the authorization to test (ATT). The Louisiana State Board of Nurses may grant candidates a temporary permit when they registered with Pearson. In the case the candidates fail an examination the permit will become no longer valid. If clinical work was completed in Louisiana, fingerprints will not be required. The only online program for initial licensure that is accepted is Excelsior College. This requires a $100 application fee and $42.50 fingerprinting fee as well as the $200 NCLEX exam. Candidates who do not pass the NCLEX will be required to complete a retake request along with a $100 money order.
RN Licensure by Endorsement
Nurses who have obtained licensure in one of the other 50 states may obtain licensure in Louisiana by endorsement. There is a $142.50 application fee for the endorsement if the application is sent in by mail. The fee will increase to $152.50 if the application is brought in and fingerprints are done on site. Candidates who wish to work under a temporary permit will have to pay $192.50 for mailed in applications and $202.50 for applications turned in on site. In case of a disaster or emergency, out-of-state nurses may be granted a disaster permit to work as a volunteer or paid employee.
RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad
International registered nurses are required to take the CGFNS qualifying exam unless the NCLEX has already been passed. Candidates may also be required to take the TOEFL to prove English competency.
RN Salaries in Louisiana
Nurses in Louisiana earn a median annual salary of almost $62,000. The salary increases with education and experience. Nurses who have obtained a bachelors degree or higher are likely to be more experiences with:
- Administration and leadership positions
- Researching statistical data
- Positions dealing with ethics
- Writing and implementing policy
An RN to BSN degree program can be completed in about 12 months. This is dependent on the program the nurse chooses. The programs are designed to meet the need of busy nurses to help encourage more baccalaureate prepared nurses.
Louisiana Registered Nursing Salaries
The New Orleans metropolitan area has the largest amount of registered nurses employed than any other area in Louisiana. It should not come as a surprise then that the same area has the highest hourly mean wage and annual median wage.
| Area name | Employment | Hourly median wage | Annual median wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | 2,300 | $28.01 | $58,250 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 7,460 | $27.50 | $57,200 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | 1,360 | $28.02 | $58,270 |
| Lafayette, LA | 2,650 | $27.11 | $56,390 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 1,710 | $28.36 | $58,990 |
| Monroe, LA | 1,740 | $25.96 | $54,000 |
| New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA | 12,450 | $30.54 | $63,520 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 4,290 | $27.48 | $57,160 |
| Hammond nonmetropolitan area | 1,530 | $25.67 | $53,380 |
| Natchitoches nonmetropolitan area | 1,680 | $27.17 | $56,510 |
| Winnsboro nonmetropolitan area | 1,620 | $26.44 | $54,980 |
| New Iberia nonmetropolitan area | 1,660 | $27.13 | $56,430 |
Source: http://www.dol.gov/, 2014 Data
Best RN Programs in Louisiana
Ranked Schools: 13
Evaluated Schools: 13
One of the best measures of a nursing program’s ability to prepare its students to become a registered nurse is to look at an institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates. We went directly to Louisiana’s state board of nursing to find, report and rank the best Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs Louisiana.
With more than 13 Louisiana associate degree in nursing programs to choose from, we hope to provide some of the critical information you need before applying to a ADN program. We ranked the top 13 ADN degree programs in the Louisiana. Research the best BSN Degrees Louisiana.
For information about how we rank RN programs, please see our ranking methodology.
RANKED 1
ADN
Overall Score: 95.17%
Louisiana Delta Community College
- 7500 Millhaven Rd, Monroe, LA - 71203
- (866) 500-5322
- Campus: Monroe, LA
- Net Price: $16,515.00
- Enrollment: 3,949
- Transfer Out Rate: 5.30%
- Loan Default Rate: 24.50%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 20.18%
- Graduation Rate: 5.90%
- Median Borrowing: $4,750.00
- Median Payment: $49.60
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 2
ADN
Overall Score: 94.98%
Baton Rouge Community College
- 201 Community College Drive, Baton Rouge, LA - 70806
- (225) 216-8000
- Campus: Baton Rouge, LA
- Net Price: $8,400.00
- Enrollment: 8,043
- Loan Default Rate: 32.80%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: -1.20%
- Graduation Rate: 4.70%
- Median Borrowing: $5,001.00
- Median Payment: $52.22
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 3
ADN / BSN
Overall Score: 94.39%
Louisiana State University-Alexandria
- 8100 Hwy 71 South, Alexandria, LA - 71302-9121
- (318) 445-3672
- Campus: Alexandria, LA
- Net Price: $8,888.00
- Enrollment: 2,211
- Transfer Out Rate: 40.30%
- Loan Default Rate: 12.20%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 26.00%
- Graduation Rate: 20.10%
- Median Borrowing: $11,260.00
- Median Payment: $117.57
- Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 4
ADN
Overall Score: 93.39%
Louisiana Tech University
- 305 Wisteria, Ruston, LA - 71272
- (318) 257-2000
- Campus: Ruston, LA
- Net Price: $9,137.00
- Enrollment: 9,245
- Transfer Out Rate: 32.40%
- Loan Default Rate: 7.50%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 14.86%
- Graduation Rate: 49.90%
- Median Borrowing: $14,691.00
- Median Payment: $153.39
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 5
ADN
Overall Score: 92.06%
Bossier Parish Community College
- 6220 East Texas, Bossier City, LA - 71111-6922
- (3.1) 867-9E+13
- Campus: Bossier City, LA
- Net Price: $8,022.00
- Enrollment: 8,464
- Transfer Out Rate: 15.00%
- Loan Default Rate: 24.70%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 5.71%
- Graduation Rate: 11.50%
- Median Borrowing: $9,009.00
- Median Payment: $94.06
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 6
ADN
Overall Score: 91.30%
South Louisiana Community College
- 320 Devalcourt Street, Lafayette, LA - 70506-2030
- (337) 521-8896
- Campus: Lafayette, LA
- Net Price: $7,344.00
- Enrollment: 4,593
- Transfer Out Rate: 9.90%
- Loan Default Rate: 24.50%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 70.67%
- Graduation Rate: 6.30%
- Median Borrowing: $1,750.00
- Median Payment: $18.27
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 7
ADN / BSN
Overall Score: 90.75%
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
- University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA - 71497-0002
- (318) 357-6011
- Campus: Natchitoches, LA
- Net Price: $7,950.00
- Enrollment: 7,836
- Loan Default Rate: 12.60%
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
- Offered as: Campus, Hybrid, Online
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 0.14%
- Graduation Rate: 38.40%
- Median Borrowing: $16,636.00
- Median Payment: $173.70
- Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor, Masters, Post Master, Post-Master Doctorate
- Program Accreditation(s): AANP, CCNE
RANKED 8
ADN
Overall Score: 89.27%
Louisiana State University-Eunice
- 2048 Johnson Hwy, Eunice, LA - 70535
- (337) 457-7311
- Campus: Eunice, LA
- Net Price: $7,340.00
- Enrollment: 2,673
- Transfer Out Rate: 47.70%
- Loan Default Rate: 16.30%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 40.67%
- Graduation Rate: 10.00%
- Median Borrowing: $7,704.00
- Median Payment: $80.44
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 9
ADN
Overall Score: 88.94%
Delgado Community College
- 615 City Park Ave, New Orleans, LA - 70119
- (504) 671-5000
- Campus: New Orleans, LA
- Net Price: $6,846.00
- Enrollment: 18,698
- Transfer Out Rate: 14.80%
- Loan Default Rate: 17.70%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 13.48%
- Graduation Rate: 10.00%
- Median Borrowing: $9,500.00
- Median Payment: $99.19
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 10
ADN / BSN
Overall Score: 88.32%
McNeese State University
- 4205 Ryan St, Lake Charles, LA - 70605
- (337) 475-5000
- Campus: Lake Charles, LA
- Net Price: $7,958.00
- Enrollment: 7,575
- Transfer Out Rate: 20.00%
- Loan Default Rate: 12.90%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Online
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 19.04%
- Graduation Rate: 37.40%
- Median Borrowing: $13,217.00
- Median Payment: $138.00
- Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor, Masters, Post Master
- Program Accreditation(s): AANP, CCNE
RANKED 11
ADN
Overall Score: 86.50%
L E Fletcher Technical Community College
- 1407 Highway 311, Schriever, LA - 70395
- (985) 448-7900
- Campus: Schriever, LA
- Net Price: $9,266.00
- Enrollment: 1,968
- Transfer Out Rate: 5.60%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 20.32%
- Graduation Rate: 15.00%
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 12
ADN
Overall Score: 85.61%
Southern University at Shreveport
- 3050 Martin Luther King Dr, Shreveport, LA - 71107
- (318) 670-6000
- Campus: Shreveport, LA
- Net Price: $8,320.00
- Enrollment: 3,018
- Loan Default Rate: 19.50%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 12.51%
- Graduation Rate: 15.50%
- Median Borrowing: $9,000.00
- Median Payment: $93.97
- Award Levels: Associate
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 13
ADN / BSN
Overall Score: 68.96%
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
- 5414 Brittany Dr, Baton Rouge, LA - 70808
- (225) 768-1700
- Campus: Baton Rouge, LA
- Net Price: $14,632.00
- Enrollment: 1,486
- Loan Default Rate: 7.10%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: 45.36%
- Graduation Rate: 35.90%
- Median Borrowing: $18,500.00
- Median Payment: $193.16
- Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor
- Program Accreditation(s):
Sources: The State Board of Nursing from Each State, U.S. Department of Education: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education – OPE, National Center for Education Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Nursing Specialties: Nursing Specialties | RN Salary Guide: Registered Nurse Salary | LPN Salary Guide: LPN Salary | Online Associates Nursing Program | Nursing Schools in Arizona | Nursing Schools in Maryland | RN Programs in the United States | For information about how we rank RN programs, please see our ranking methodology.
Helpful Nursing Resources
- Registered Nurse (RN) Salary
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Salary
- Transfer RN License Between States
Recent Posts
Parish Nursing
Learn about Parish Nurse educational requirements, salaries, job outlook, required …Complete List of State Boards of Nursing
We have compiled a list of all State Boards of …Public Health Nurse
Learn about Public Health Nurse educational requirements, salaries, job outlook, …Wound Care Nurse
Want to become a Wound Care Nurse? Learn about careers, …Legal Nurse Consultant
Research Legal Nurse Consultant careers, educational requirements, salaries, job outlook, …Psychiatric Nurse
Learn about Psychiatric Nurse salaries, educational requirements, job outlook, required …RN vs BSN
Learn about the differences between RN vs BSN degrees, work, …OBGYN Nurse
Explore OBGYN Nursing careers, educational requirements, salaries, job outlook, required …Nurse Manager
Discover how to become a Nurse Manager and educational requirements, …Certified Diabetes Nurse Educator
Learn about Certified Diabetes Nurse Educator educational requirements, salaries, job …
Ranked Schools: 13
Evaluated Schools: 15
One of the best measures of a nursing program’s ability to prepare its students to become a registered nurse is to look at an institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates. We went directly to Louisiana’s state board of nursing to find, report and rank the best BSN degree programs Louisiana.
With more than 15 Louisiana BSN degree programs to choose from, we hope to provide you some of the critical information you may need before applying to a BSN degree program. We ranked the top 13 BSN degree programs in the Colorado. Research the best ADN Programs in Louisiana.
For information about how we rank RN programs, please see our ranking methodology.
RANKED 1
BSN
Overall Score: 96.84%
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans
- 433 Bolivar St, New Orleans, LA - 70112-2223
- (504) 568-4808
- Campus: New Orleans, LA
- Programs: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Hybrid
- Type: Public
- Award Levels: Bachelor, Masters, Post-Baccalaureate Doctorate, Post-Master Doctorate
- Program Accreditation(s): AANP, CCNE
RANKED 2
BSN
Overall Score: 96.58%
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- 104 University Circle, Lafayette, LA - 70503
- (377) 482-1000
- Campus: Lafayette, LA
- Net Price: $7,920.00
- Enrollment: 15,053
- Loan Default Rate: 9.30%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Hybrid, Online
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 51.35%
- Graduation Rate: 44.80%
- Median Borrowing: $13,340.00
- Median Payment: $139.28
- Award Levels: Bachelor, Masters, Post-Master Doctorate
- Program Accreditation(s): AANP, CCNE
RANKED 3
BSN
Overall Score: 96.15%
Our Lady of Holy Cross College
- 4123 Woodland Drive, New Orleans, LA - 70131-7399
- (504) 394-7744
- Campus: New Orleans, LA
- Net Price: $11,003.00
- Enrollment: 878
- Loan Default Rate: 5.50%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Online
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: -36.34%
- Graduation Rate: 28.00%
- Median Borrowing: $22,000.00
- Median Payment: $229.71
- Award Levels: Bachelor
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 4
BSN
Overall Score: 94.92%
University of Louisiana-Monroe
- 700 University Avenue, Monroe, LA - 71209-0000
- (318) 342-1000
- Campus: Monroe, LA
- Net Price: $7,162.00
- Enrollment: 7,276
- Loan Default Rate: 10.70%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Online
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: -8.12%
- Graduation Rate: 40.30%
- Median Borrowing: $12,500.00
- Median Payment: $130.51
- Award Levels: Bachelor, Masters
- Program Accreditation(s): CCNE
RANKED 5
ADN / BSN
Overall Score: 93.59%
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
- University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA - 71497-0002
- (318) 357-6011
- Campus: Natchitoches, LA
- Net Price: $7,950.00
- Enrollment: 7,836
- Loan Default Rate: 12.60%
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
- Offered as: Campus, Hybrid, Online
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 0.14%
- Graduation Rate: 38.40%
- Median Borrowing: $16,636.00
- Median Payment: $173.70
- Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor, Masters, Post Master, Post-Master Doctorate
- Program Accreditation(s): AANP, CCNE
RANKED 6
BSN
Overall Score: 92.09%
Southeastern Louisiana University
- 548 Ned McGehee Ave., Hammond, LA - 70402
- (985) 549-2000
- Campus: Hammond, LA
- Net Price: $8,886.00
- Enrollment: 13,730
- Transfer Out Rate: 33.60%
- Loan Default Rate: 8.70%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Hybrid
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 19.44%
- Graduation Rate: 35.60%
- Median Borrowing: $12,250.00
- Median Payment: $127.90
- Award Levels: Bachelor, Masters, Post Master, Post-Master Doctorate
- Program Accreditation(s): AANP, CCNE
RANKED 7
BSN
Overall Score: 92.01%
Nicholls State University
- University Station La Hwy 1, Thibodaux, LA - 70310
- (877) 642-4655
- Campus: Thibodaux, LA
- Net Price: $8,850.00
- Enrollment: 5,888
- Transfer Out Rate: 27.90%
- Loan Default Rate: 8.60%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Hybrid, Online
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 35.49%
- Graduation Rate: 42.00%
- Median Borrowing: $12,250.00
- Median Payment: $127.90
- Award Levels: Bachelor, Masters
- Program Accreditation(s): AANP, CCNE
RANKED 8
ADN / BSN
Overall Score: 89.44%
McNeese State University
- 4205 Ryan St, Lake Charles, LA - 70605
- (337) 475-5000
- Campus: Lake Charles, LA
- Net Price: $7,958.00
- Enrollment: 7,575
- Transfer Out Rate: 20.00%
- Loan Default Rate: 12.90%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Online
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 19.04%
- Graduation Rate: 37.40%
- Median Borrowing: $13,217.00
- Median Payment: $138.00
- Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor, Masters, Post Master
- Program Accreditation(s): AANP, CCNE
RANKED 9
BSN
Overall Score: 86.59%
Louisiana College
- 1140 College Dr, Pineville, LA - 71359
- (318) 487-7011
- Campus: Pineville, LA
- Net Price: $13,784.00
- Enrollment: 1,116
- Loan Default Rate: 10.90%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: 13.80%
- Graduation Rate: 42.50%
- Median Borrowing: $13,500.00
- Median Payment: $140.96
- Award Levels: Bachelor
- Program Accreditation(s): CCNE
RANKED 10
BSN
Overall Score: 85.24%
Southern University and A & M College
- Southern Branch Post Office, Baton Rouge, LA - 70813
- (225) 771-4500
- Campus: Baton Rouge, LA
- Net Price: $14,305.00
- Enrollment: 5,746
- Loan Default Rate: 9.90%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 39.26%
- Graduation Rate: 31.80%
- Median Borrowing: $24,549.00
- Median Payment: $256.32
- Award Levels: Bachelor, Masters, Post-Master Doctorate
- Program Accreditation(s): CCNE
RANKED 11
ADN / BSN
Overall Score: 79.01%
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
- 5414 Brittany Dr, Baton Rouge, LA - 70808
- (225) 768-1700
- Campus: Baton Rouge, LA
- Net Price: $14,632.00
- Enrollment: 1,486
- Loan Default Rate: 7.10%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: 45.36%
- Graduation Rate: 35.90%
- Median Borrowing: $18,500.00
- Median Payment: $193.16
- Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED 12
BSN
Overall Score: 65.78%
Grambling State University
- 403 Main Street, Grambling, LA - 71245
- (318) 247-3811
- Campus: Grambling, LA
- Net Price: $14,373.00
- Enrollment: 4,155
- Loan Default Rate: 16.20%
- Programs: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 38.96%
- Graduation Rate: 30.90%
- Median Borrowing: $27,956.00
- Median Payment: $291.89
- Award Levels: Bachelor, Masters
- Program Accreditation(s): AANP
RANKED 13
BSN
Overall Score: 65.21%
Dillard University
- 2601 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA - 70122
- (504) 816-4640
- Campus: New Orleans, LA
- Net Price: $16,461.00
- Enrollment: 1,183
- Loan Default Rate: 11.40%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: 33.23%
- Graduation Rate: 45.70%
- Median Borrowing: $19,661.00
- Median Payment: $205.28
- Award Levels: Bachelor
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED N/A*
ADN / BSN
Overall Score: N/A*
Louisiana State University-Alexandria
- 8100 Hwy 71 South, Alexandria, LA - 71302-9121
- (318) 445-3672
- Campus: Alexandria, LA
- Net Price: $8,888.00
- Enrollment: 2,211
- Transfer Out Rate: 40.30%
- Loan Default Rate: 12.20%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus
- Type: Public
- Net Price Change: 26.00%
- Graduation Rate: 20.10%
- Median Borrowing: $11,260.00
- Median Payment: $117.57
- Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor
- Program Accreditation(s):
RANKED N/A*
BSN
Overall Score: N/A*
Loyola University New Orleans
- 6363 Saint Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA - 70118-6143
- (504) 865-2011
- Campus: New Orleans, LA
- Net Price: $23,419.00
- Enrollment: 2,946
- Loan Default Rate: 5.30%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered as: Campus, Online
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Net Price Change: 2.68%
- Graduation Rate: 54.90%
- Median Borrowing: $22,240.00
- Median Payment: $232.21
- Award Levels: Bachelor, Masters, Post-Master Doctorate
- Program Accreditation(s): CCNE
Sources: The State Board of Nursing from Each State, U.S. Department of Education: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education – OPE, National Center for Education Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Nursing Specialties: Nursing Specialties | RN Salary Guide: Registered Nurse Salary | LPN Salary Guide: LPN Salary | Online Associates Nursing Program | Nursing Schools in Arizona | Nursing Schools in Maryland | RN Programs in the United States | For information about how we rank RN programs, please see our ranking methodology.
Helpful Nursing Resources
- Registered Nurse (RN) Salary
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Salary
- Transfer RN License Between States
Recent Posts
Parish Nursing
Learn about Parish Nurse educational requirements, salaries, job outlook, required …Complete List of State Boards of Nursing
We have compiled a list of all State Boards of …Public Health Nurse
Learn about Public Health Nurse educational requirements, salaries, job outlook, …Wound Care Nurse
Want to become a Wound Care Nurse? Learn about careers, …Legal Nurse Consultant
Research Legal Nurse Consultant careers, educational requirements, salaries, job outlook, …Psychiatric Nurse
Learn about Psychiatric Nurse salaries, educational requirements, job outlook, required …RN vs BSN
Learn about the differences between RN vs BSN degrees, work, …OBGYN Nurse
Explore OBGYN Nursing careers, educational requirements, salaries, job outlook, required …Nurse Manager
Discover how to become a Nurse Manager and educational requirements, …Certified Diabetes Nurse Educator
Learn about Certified Diabetes Nurse Educator educational requirements, salaries, job …
Nurses in Louisiana earn a median annual salary of almost $62,000. The salary increases with education and experience. Nurses who have obtained a bachelors degree or higher are likely to be more experiences with:
- Administration and leadership positions
- Researching statistical data
- Positions dealing with ethics
- Writing and implementing policy
An RN to BSN degree program can be completed in about 12 months. This is dependent on the program the nurse chooses. The programs are designed to meet the need of busy nurses to help encourage more baccalaureate prepared nurses.
Louisiana Registered Nursing Salaries
The New Orleans metropolitan area has the largest amount of registered nurses employed than any other area in Louisiana. It should not come as a surprise then that the same area has the highest hourly mean wage and annual median wage.
| Area name | Employment | Hourly median wage | Annual median wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | 2,300 | $28.01 | $58,250 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 7,460 | $27.50 | $57,200 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | 1,360 | $28.02 | $58,270 |
| Lafayette, LA | 2,650 | $27.11 | $56,390 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 1,710 | $28.36 | $58,990 |
| Monroe, LA | 1,740 | $25.96 | $54,000 |
| New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA | 12,450 | $30.54 | $63,520 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 4,290 | $27.48 | $57,160 |
| Hammond nonmetropolitan area | 1,530 | $25.67 | $53,380 |
| Natchitoches nonmetropolitan area | 1,680 | $27.17 | $56,510 |
| Winnsboro nonmetropolitan area | 1,620 | $26.44 | $54,980 |
| New Iberia nonmetropolitan area | 1,660 | $27.13 | $56,430 |
Source: http://www.dol.gov/, 2014 Data